We’re LIVE from Hawks-Magic: Can they make it a series?
Mike Woodson's Hawks have been inconsistent in the playoffs.
There’s a saying in sports that a playoff series doesn’t really begin until a team loses a home game.
It’s understandable if you’re not feeling that way after seeing the Hawks dismembered in Game 1 and fizzle in Game 2 against Orlando, losing two games of this playoff series by a combined 57 points. But back now in Philips Arena, where all is usually well, this is the Hawks’ last chance to show a pulse — and maintain it for 48 minutes.
It has been stated enough times in this corner but here we go again: The Hawks are at the point in their evolution where they shouldn’t be defined by the regular season (53-29) but by the postseason (4-3 over undermanned Milwaukee; 0-2 against Orlando).
Granted, only the most optimistic of folks projected them to beat Orlando in this series. The Magic reached the finals last year. They may win the championship this year. They’re superior at basketball’s two key positions: center and point guard.
But what you wanted to see from the Hawks this series is passion, intelligence and consistency under fire, and too often that hasn’t been the case.
Can they win tonight? Absolutely. In a 2-0 series, the trailing home team tends to play its best game, knowing at 3-0 the series probably is over. (For what it’s worth, Las Vegas has this as a close game: The Magic are favored by 2 to 2 1/2 points.)
The Hawks’ objectives shouldn’t change: pound Dwight Howard inside as much as possible with rotating hackers (Zaza Pachulia, Joe Smith, Jason Collins). Play pressure defense to try and force turnovers. Hope Orlando doesn’t get hot from trey-range. See where you’re at in the fourth quarter.
The Hawks are 37-8 at home this year (34-7 in the regular season; 3-1 in the playoffs). However, Philips Arena is not a cure all. We saw Milwaukee win Game 5 here to push the Hawks to the brink of elimination in the first round.
In fact, since winning four straight home playoff games in 2008 (3-0 vs. Boston) and 2009 (first game vs. Miami), the Hawks have gone only 5-4 at Philips. The breakdown: 2-1 in the rest of the Miami series, 0-2 vs. Cleveland, 3-1 vs. Milwaukee.
So what do you think. Can the Hawks make a series of this? We’ll be here blogging live during the game, but let’s hear your predictions now.
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484 comments Add your comment
soldierman
May 8th, 2010
6:55 pm
Did Joe just blow a dang gone lay up! a Freaking Lay UP!!!! REally!!!!!! Freaking wow!
Jeff Schultz
May 8th, 2010
6:55 pm
Mystikal — My problem with Josh is he often goes as the team goes. He’s not selfish, just immature at times and not the leader type. Too bad because he can be such a GREAT player, I mean elite.
L MCDaniel
May 8th, 2010
6:55 pm
Look at the Bright side Hawks Fans!!! JOE JOHNSON HAS ONLY 1 MORE GAME IN A HAWKS UNIFORM!!! YES!!!!!!
Chris
May 8th, 2010
6:56 pm
Don’t worry Atlanta Spirit, you won’t get my money any more.
used to be Hawk fan
May 8th, 2010
6:56 pm
I have long since given up on the Hawks. Used to go all the time in the 70’s/80’s
Had high hopes for Josh after watching him in high school but he is a a talented/ no effort child out there. I decided to watch these playoffs to see what they were really about and what I’ve seen is pathetic. If we had a real coach/organization Josh’s butt would be on the bench until he grows up and learns to play all out.
H.Berry
May 8th, 2010
6:56 pm
HAWKS SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RC
May 8th, 2010
6:56 pm
@ coldwork; You telling me YOU NEVER HEARD A PA ANNOUCER TELL THE CROWD TO CHANT DEFENSE? I find that hard to believe
Chris
May 8th, 2010
6:56 pm
Josh is the most immature person at his age I know. Grow up.
nemowin
May 8th, 2010
6:57 pm
Ed Malloy- Hawks MVP.
Brian
May 8th, 2010
6:57 pm
Buick59, Aren’t all of the Atlanta sports teams hopeless ? 1 Championship out of all Atlanta’s teams combined I believe.
root4au
May 8th, 2010
6:57 pm
Hawks suck. They need to start over. Get rid of everyone. They are not close..
Mike in EPT
May 8th, 2010
6:58 pm
I just can’t turn away! I keep trying! No more carnage PLEASE! gotta…reach…the remote….please let Mike Rowe be neutering a stallion when I…reach…it….Thank God….neutered horses
L MCDaniel
May 8th, 2010
6:58 pm
Joe Johnson plays like he has an X-Box Controller in his hands as he tries to fake out the opponnent, his team, the refs, and the people in the concession stand. Joe Johnson is Mr. One on NINE when he steps on the floor
Chris
May 8th, 2010
6:58 pm
Honestly, our 14 win team from a few years ago gave more effort than this one.
Mystikal
May 8th, 2010
6:58 pm
For all Woody lacks on the offensive end, defense is supposed to be his thing. So why are we giving up so many “WIDE OPEN , UNCONTESTED” 3pointers??
BravesFan79
May 8th, 2010
6:59 pm
No heart!
RC
May 8th, 2010
6:59 pm
To show you how little Espn thinks of the Hawks; They have Doris Burke annoucing the game enough said!
buick59
May 8th, 2010
6:59 pm
yes Brian hopeless pretty much sums up this city’s sports teams.
D Hawks
May 8th, 2010
6:59 pm
Jeff, I don’t see Josh becoming the elite player that everyone thinks his talent should lead to unless we get an elite coach. I don’t see that happening on the Spirit group’s tight budget unless there’s money hidden somewhere.
Jeff Schultz
May 8th, 2010
6:59 pm
Orlando 79-55 after 3, and a lot of fans are leaving. (But I thank all of you for sticking around. If you have dinner plans and have to go, I understand.)
UNReal
May 8th, 2010
7:00 pm
I would’nt even pay JJ a penny to stay in ATLANTA.
shane
May 8th, 2010
7:00 pm
Hey the Braves won a game
buick59
May 8th, 2010
7:01 pm
come on RC Doris is the bomb. Yea, she must have done something really bad to get this assignment.
Brian
May 8th, 2010
7:01 pm
RC, whats wrong with Doris Burke ?
Fitten
May 8th, 2010
7:01 pm
Woodson’s thinking he could make this team Detriot was his problem. Woodson’s never developed an offense so we go iso-Joe the joke. If we ran pick and roll with a real point guard,Josh and Al would be dunking left and right see Phoenix, Utah, and teams that run offense
Let Joe Go!
Timmy
May 8th, 2010
7:01 pm
MitchC,
are you honestly asking how it is the coach’s fault that his team looks completely clueless, is getting no ball movement, and just in general look like they don’t care? Do you honestly think this would happen under a good, tough coach?
cloudy
May 8th, 2010
7:01 pm
Jeff you said it yourself- the Hawks cannot match up with the Magic- have less talent than the Magic- so they have to play for 4 quarters like their hair is on fire. It never happened starting in game 1. You have to be able to steal a game now and then on the road- the Hawks have no clue how to win on the road
Brian
May 8th, 2010
7:01 pm
Yeah, Shane. The Braves improve their record to 13-17. Go Braves !!
Harpie
May 8th, 2010
7:02 pm
Screw you, RC – she’s a good announcer….
Mike in EPT
May 8th, 2010
7:02 pm
@Chris Yes, Iloved the Hawks so much more when they were young and up-coming!
Skydawg
May 8th, 2010
7:02 pm
Enter your comments here
buick59
May 8th, 2010
7:02 pm
actually Jeff this is kinda entertaining
Brian
May 8th, 2010
7:02 pm
I think Woodson is getting way too much blame. These guys are professionals. The players deserve the most blame.
Harry The Hawk
May 8th, 2010
7:03 pm
Jeff–time to revisit my comment before the start of the game about heart.
Atlanta has good,athletic players but, deep down, they’re not made of championship stock.
There is obviously something fundamentally wrong (or, better yet, dysfunctional) happening in their locker room—Joe’s veiled comments from last week attest to this. It’s evident in their (lack of) effort over this series. Orlando is good but there’s something else going on.
I bet the truth will come out after the final nail is placed on the Hawks season Monday.
buick59
May 8th, 2010
7:03 pm
Doris knows more than Woodson
Matthew
May 8th, 2010
7:03 pm
Hey Jeff,when Joe walks by let him know I know a good real estate agent he can use to sell his house
Mystikal
May 8th, 2010
7:03 pm
Schultz, I agree he has the talent to be a truly great player. He is easily top10 one of the best athletes in the league. But he is in what, his 5th or 6th yr in the league? He can’t shoot outside of 15 ft, has no real goto move on offense, and has no business trying to handle the ball. He is the backbone of the defense, but shouldn’t he further along offensively? Do you think he can still get better or near his peak?
59
May 8th, 2010
7:04 pm
all the hawks fans at Phillips arena wearing a #2 jersey should throw it at JJ’s face.
Mr. Phil
May 8th, 2010
7:04 pm
At this point there is nothing that would result in me accepting Joe Johnson as any part of the Hawks organization. Player, towel boy,hot dog distributor. Nothing!
MGM
May 8th, 2010
7:04 pm
Over the last couple of years I have not been a Woody fan. Would have preferred he was gone. But this series has completely made me think Joe Johnson is a complete second rate star. He hasn’t shown up for any of the playoffs. Totally shown no heart or leadership. What a bust. If he gets another contract with Atlanta, I quit.
Skydawg
May 8th, 2010
7:05 pm
Woodson must be fired. Continued 20+pt losses is on the coach. This team has been winning despite his coaching. It’s a freaking embarrassment to this great city.
BravesFan79
May 8th, 2010
7:05 pm
WTF .. why is teague passing up open jumpers to pass to Josh Smith for a long jumper!?? Teague might be athletic, hes not appearing to be a very intelligent player tho.
Cedrick (Texas Hawk)
May 8th, 2010
7:05 pm
Jeff Schutlz I want you to repeat this in bold letters so that these Hawk players can see.. “DISAPPOINTED”
Fitten
May 8th, 2010
7:06 pm
Jeff, if u have dinner plans, you should leave. Your jobwontlet you ask Woodywhat he did to motivate his team. U cantask Woody whyhedidntpull 1-10 Joe??? U can’t ask him what offensive plays he called?
soldierman
May 8th, 2010
7:06 pm
I wonder what the moral victory of this game will be. Let’s see, we weren’t motivated but we put forth a good effort would be my best guess.
RC
May 8th, 2010
7:06 pm
I bet you Mike Turico and Hubie Brown begged Espn to get them off this hawks-magic series lol!
Mr. Phil
May 8th, 2010
7:07 pm
Mike Woodson Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby are what is fundamentally wrong with this team. There is no great secret being withheld. The three of them separately and together truly suck.
Brian
May 8th, 2010
7:07 pm
Skydawg, how is this embarassing to the city of Atlanta ? Atlanta is used to this kind of thing. Falcons, Braves, Hawks, Thrashers. They are all a bunch of losers.
Harpie
May 8th, 2010
7:08 pm
I guarantee you, Teague is doing what the idiot coach told him to do….
TheAntiMe
May 8th, 2010
7:08 pm
Hey, it’s not over yet. All the Hawks need are 3 quick touchdowns.